Morris: When rescuers become abusers

As a journalist for 35 years, I've become cynical about a lot of things, but I've always wanted to think the best of those involved in rescuing animals. When it becomes clear that rescuers are actually abusers, it cuts deep into our ability to trust.

The case remains under investigation, but I was staggered by reports involving Crystal Kisicki, founder of St. Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary. She is being investigated in Monterey and Fresno counties for animal abuse and neglect. If we are to believe the allegations, her sanctuary was far from a safe haven, and her motives to adopt out pets may have been driven by greed.

Animals taken from St. Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary were treated for several skin ailments. (SPCA for Monterey County)

So far, 78 animals have been taken from Kisicki's shelters. A San Ramon address seems to be nothing more than a post office box for donations, authorities say.

Lisl Hale-Ortega, of Martinez, met Kisicki outside a local pet food store where the woman was offering rescued pets for adoption. Hale-Ortega and her family fell in love with one dog and willingly paid the adoption fees. They later learned the dog suffered from heart worms, kennel cough and ringworm -- conditions they knew nothing about when they adopted the dog.

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Beth Brookhouser, director of community outreach at the SPCA for Monterey County, says a complaint against Kisicki was lodged in mid-June by a man who paid a $500 adoption fee for a puppy from Kisicki. Within a week the dog was at the vet's office, being treated for scabies and fleas. A second complaint was made soon after by a man who learned his 8-week-old puppy actually was almost a year old and was suffering from pustules, alopecia and an overall skin infection. Both the man and his wife contracted scabies from the pup.

Authorities paid a visit to the St. Francis All Creature shelter and came away with 17 animals -- 14 dogs, two birds and one kitten -- all being kept in less than humane conditions and all in poor health. The Monterey investigation led to inspections of Kisicki's other shelter in Squaw Valley, where 61 animals were taken into care by the Central California SPCA. Investigators described a horrific scene at the property where dogs were tethered on 3-foot chains, cats kept in bird cages and animals surrounded by filth. None of the animals, investigators say, had food or water.

No charges have been filed in either case, and Kisicki is due the presumption of innocence. Meanwhile, residents are looking for answers.

"We are very comfortable in saying," Brookhouser says, "that considering how much she was charging to adopt out these animals and how little care she was giving them, that she was running a 'rescue for profit.' "

In recent weeks, Kisicki's St. Francis All Creatures Rescue has made several appearances at area pet food stores, and an unknown number of animals were adopted.

On paper, Kisicki looks like what we would expect. Her shelter is a registered nonprofit. She has a Facebook page with a small following, testimonials and photos of happy pets.

While the final story on Kisicki has not been written, it does serve as a cautionary tale to pull off the blinders.

Brookhouser says if something doesn't look right, be cautious. If the group or breeder refuses to let you tour their shelter or home where the animals are kept, be suspicious. Most important, Brookhouser says, report your concerns.

If you adopted from Kisicki, please contact the SPCA for Monterey at 831-373-2631.